The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

Nicole Apelian’s first major book, co-written with Claude Davis, focuses on the medicinal side of wild plants rather than foraging for food. It covers over 800 plants and natural remedies, with full-color photographs and detailed identification instructions for each species.

Why Read This

If your interest in wild plants leans more toward health and herbal medicine than toward cooking and eating, this is the better starting point. Apelian’s personal story gives the book real weight: she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2000 and developed many of these protocols as part of her own wellness strategy. The remedies are drawn from both her scientific training and her time living with the San Bushmen.

The book is organized around common ailments, making it practical to use when you actually need it. Rather than requiring you to read cover to cover, you can look up a health concern and find which plants may help, along with preparation methods and dosage guidance. Each plant entry includes multiple photographs, range information, and clear identification tips.

What to Expect

A 304-page full-color paperback focused on herbal remedies and medicinal plant use. The emphasis is on practical application: which plants to use, how to prepare them, and what conditions they may help with. The identification guidance is solid but less extensive than in her dedicated foraging book. Best suited for readers whose primary interest is herbal medicine and natural health, with foraging as a secondary skill.